Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Conflicted Politics
The night before my departure for New York, I made sure to spend some quality time with Lisa and Sherry, as had become our routine. In our luxurious apartment, the four of us were cozily settled on the oversized couch, a blanket draped over our legs while a cartoon played on the massive living room screen.
Lisa was snuggled against me, her eyes glued to the screen, while Sherry nestled under my arm, her soft smile revealing how much she enjoyed these moments. Jill, true to herself, sat beside me, her arm brushing against mine as she sipped a glass of red wine.
Though we weren't officially married, our relationship was stable and natural—a dynamic that suited us both. Jill wasn't fond of formal commitments, but that didn't stop us from having a deep, solid bond.
As the movie credits rolled, Lisa was the first to break the comfortable silence.
"Daddy… how long are you going to be gone this time?"
I gently stroked her blonde hair before pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.
"Three days. Promise, not a day more."
Sherry, resting her head against my chest, looked up at me with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"Does that mean Aunt Jill will be watching us again for three days?"
Lisa immediately sat up, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"OH YES! Pizza nights and horror movies!!"
Jill burst into laughter, setting her glass down on the table before shooting them a mock-stern look.
"You know I'm supposed to be the authority figure here, right?"
Sherry nodded seriously, but then flashed a wide, conspiratorial grin.
"You're the coolest babysitter ever, Aunt Jill."
Jill shook her head, laughing, before turning her bright eyes toward me.
"Maybe you should go on missions more often. I think they prefer it when you're not around."
I let out an exaggerated sigh, throwing my hands up in mock defeat.
"Betrayed by my own family… what a tragedy."
Lisa and Sherry burst into laughter before tackling me into a massive group hug, crushing me beneath their combined weight. Jill watched the scene with a tender smile, her arms crossed as she leaned against the doorway.
Eventually, I stood up, brushing off imaginary dust, and kissed each of my daughters on the forehead before turning to Jill.
"I'm counting on you to handle our two little tornadoes while I'm gone."
She stepped closer, grabbing the collar of my jacket to adjust it with a playful smirk.
"Just try not to destroy an entire country on this trip, okay?"
I raised an amused eyebrow.
"I'll try. But you know I can't promise anything."
She shook her head, laughing softly before pulling me into a brief kiss.
"Take care of yourself."
A short while later, Chris, Kevin, Sophie, and I boarded my private jet. All of us were impeccably dressed in tailored tuxedos, exuding the aura of high-powered businessmen. The jet hummed softly as it prepared for takeoff.
Sophie, radiant as ever, wore an elegant emerald green dress that highlighted her light eyes and soft smile. Since the incident on Rockfort Island, she had left behind her career in biology, having lost her passion for genetic research. But she found her niche within the tech division of my company — and, more importantly, she had found someone special.
Chris.
Seated beside her, Chris kept throwing protective glances her way, his demeanor unusually attentive. It didn't take long for Kevin, never one to let a teasing opportunity slide, to speak up.
"So, Chris…" Kevin started, grinning widely, "how long are you gonna keep pretending? Can we finally say you've fallen head over heels for our charming Sophie?"
Chris groaned, rolling his eyes, clearly expecting this line of questioning.
"I knew you'd run your big mouth, Kevin."
Sophie blushed slightly, trying to keep a neutral expression, but the subtle smile tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement.
"For your information, Kevin…" Chris replied smugly, "she made the first move."
Kevin burst out laughing, raising his hands in mock surrender.
"Damn, man. You got lucky! It's not every day a Redfield gets hit on!"
Chris chuckled, shaking his head while Sophie placed a gentle hand on his arm, giving him a knowing, affectionate look.
I took a moment to enjoy the scene, observing my friends and colleagues as they shared these lighthearted moments. It wasn't often that we got to relax like this.
After a smooth landing in New York, our group was immediately escorted to the luxury hotel hosting the charity gala. Nestled in the heart of Manhattan, the venue was a shrine to opulence. Massive crystal chandeliers dangled from the high ceilings, casting golden light across gleaming marble floors. Waiters in tailored tuxedos moved with precision, carrying silver trays filled with champagne flutes and gourmet hors d'oeuvres.
The grand entrance hall buzzed with the quiet murmurs of power — politicians, industry tycoons, and philanthropist celebrities mingled under the warm glow, their conversations blending into an elegant hum. The scent of luxury — expensive perfumes, freshly polished wood, and fine wine — lingered in the air.
Upon our entrance, I gravitated towards the bar alongside Kevin. We preferred to observe the room first, reading the atmosphere before diving into conversations.
"Plenty of sharks in this room tonight," Kevin muttered, scanning the crowd as he sipped his drink.
"Exactly why I'm keeping my distance for now," I replied, watching the political and corporate elite mingle, their fake smiles barely concealing their ambitions.
Meanwhile, Chris and Sophie had already slipped into reconnaissance mode, blending effortlessly into the crowd. They worked as a team — Chris ever-watchful, Sophie graceful and poised, their chemistry palpable even in this high-stakes environment.
I raised my glass slightly in their direction, signaling them discreetly. It was going to be a long night, filled with political games and hidden agendas.
"Do a sweep, listen in on the interesting conversations. If you hear anything about shady deals, new projects, or even rumors, report back to me."
Chris gave a nod, a sly grin tugging at his lips."Got it, boss. Don't worry, we'll be discreet."
Sophie, ever efficient, immediately melted into the crowd, engaging a group of young, influential entrepreneurs in conversation. Chris, on the other hand, moved towards a cluster of senators, pretending to be interested in their mundane political discussions.
I sipped my drink, exchanging a few idle words with Kevin, when a deep, confident voice echoed behind me.
"Mr. King, a pleasure to finally meet you."
I turned slowly and was greeted by a middle-aged man dressed in an immaculate three-piece suit. His sharp features and calculating eyes assessed my every move with precise scrutiny. He extended his hand, which I shook firmly.
"Derek Clifford Simmons. I've heard quite a bit about you."
His name stirred a vague memory, like a shadow lingering on the edge of my thoughts — a figure connected to the highest circles of power. Though my influence had spanned across time and events, the details of what came after Resident Evil 4 were hazy in my mind. Still, I knew enough to be wary.
I offered him a polite smile, masking my internal calculations."I hope it's all good things, Mr. Simmons."
He inclined his head slightly, the corners of his mouth lifting into a carefully controlled smile."You're a revolutionary in the fields of health and technology. Who could possibly have anything bad to say about you?" he replied, the flattery in his tone barely masking the undercurrent of calculation behind his words.
I didn't answer immediately, keeping up the façade of the charming businessman, until Simmons continued:
"The President would like to arrange a private meeting with you. Would you care to follow me?"
I nodded in agreement but glanced sideways at Kevin, who was now inspecting the buffet with far too much enthusiasm.
"Kevin, feel free to enjoy the buffet... but please, try not to embarrass me."
I made sure to say it loud enough for nearby guests to overhear, drawing a few amused glances as Kevin flushed red with embarrassment.
"Seriously, Gerald?" he groaned, shooting me a playful yet annoyed glare.
I let out a soft chuckle before following Simmons through the opulent hallways of the hotel, their grandeur echoing with the soft hum of the ongoing gala.
Simmons led me to a private office, away from the noise and luxury of the event. Velvet red carpets stretched across the floor, polished wooden panels lined the walls, and classical paintings adorned the room, giving it a heavy, almost oppressive atmosphere.
Behind a large mahogany desk sat Adam Benford, the newly elected President of the United States. He looked up as I entered, offering a cordial smile. A seasoned politician — the kind who had seen it all — his eyes held both experience and caution.
"Gerald King. Finally, in person."
I extended my hand, which he shook firmly.
"Mr. President, the honor is mine."
He gestured for me to sit, while Simmons remained by his side, a satisfied expression on his face. It was obvious this meeting was far from a simple courtesy. They wanted something from me.
President Adam Benford wasted no time on meaningless pleasantries. Leaning back in his chair, he fixed his piercing gaze on me, ready to get straight to the point.
"I've heard about your declaration of independence. Are you planning to become the 52nd American state, or would you rather keep the territory entirely under your private control?" the President asked in a neutral tone, though his eyes revealed a hint of suspicion.
I smiled inwardly. He wasn't a fool. He knew that a private entity holding full control over a territory was an anomaly in the American geopolitical system.
Leaning back slightly in my chair, I adopted a confident yet relaxed posture."Mr. President, I have no intention of disrupting the established order. Raccoon City and the Arklay Mountains are simply a safe haven for my citizens—nothing more. Everything I've done is perfectly legal. On paper, the territory remains American: no borders, no tolls, no customs. It's just an administrative autonomy that allows for better infrastructure management and enhanced security."
A discreet smile appeared on the President's face. He liked that answer. A privately controlled territory still under American influence was a compromise that suited him.
"God bless America, huh, Gerald?" he said, his expression softening.
I responded with an equally calculated smile."Of course, Mr. President."
To my left, Derek Simmons, who had been silently observing, displayed a satisfied grin. He seemed to approve of the exchange.
Adam spoke again, his tone now more relaxed."You can call me Adam in private, just like Derek here."
I noted the subtle shift in tone. He was trying to bring me into their circle, to see if I could become a valuable ally.
"I asked to meet with you because we noticed something interesting," he continued, intertwining his fingers on the desk. "Your hospitals, your healthcare products… they don't just heal people—they improve them. Not in an obvious way, but there's a visible difference."
I kept my expression neutral, masking my internal amusement. It had taken him long enough to notice, but he had finally caught on.
"Unlike Umbrella, I still conduct research, Adam," I replied calmly. "However, I don't create monsters or super-soldiers. What I've developed is a simple biological enhancement—a cocktail that strengthens the immune system, providing better disease resistance and accelerating tissue regeneration."
Derek Simmons leaned forward slightly, his eyes gleaming with curiosity and caution.
"And now that you mention it… what would be your price?" Derek asked, his tone calm but sharp.
Adam remained silent, waiting intently for my response.
I took a brief breath before answering with feigned sincerity, letting a nearly idealistic conviction seep into my words."Nothing but the betterment of humanity," I declared, folding my hands in front of me. "It's laughable that people still die from minor infections, simple insect bites, or preventable diseases. Imagine a world where hospitals aren't overflowing with patients suffering from trivial ailments. Where populations can withstand natural epidemics better, and injuries are no longer a death sentence."
My gaze shifted from Derek to Adam, carefully gauging their reactions."My goal is to remove that burden from the human equation," I finished, my tone filled with determination.
I knew they wouldn't completely buy into the image of a selfless philanthropist, but there was nothing in my statement they could openly dispute.
Adam Benford nodded slowly, clearly contemplating my words. Derek, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes slightly, analyzing every syllable with precision.
(Author's Note: I'll leave you with that for now. The next chapter will continue in the same vein, and after that, we'll be diving into the Resident Evil 4 arc. As for Simmons, just imagine that Gerald never experienced Leon and Helena's part of the story, and his life has been packed with action for years now. ^^)